The Lord’s Prayer

Sermon July 27, 2025 Luke 11:1-13 The Lord’s Prayer

Reverend Fred Okello

Today, we’re going to talk about prayer, which is an important but frequently misunderstood part of being a Christian. A lot of us have trouble figuring out how, when, or even why to pray. Jesus stressed the value of prayer throughout His mission. He told His followers to pray when they were spiritually sleeping. He also questioned how some people prayed, whether it was for show or for their own gain. But bless God, one disciple was brave enough to say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In response, Jesus not only taught us how to pray, but he also told us why prayer is important and what it shows about our relationship with God.

It’s not unusual to get money or personal demands from people we barely know or don’t know at all in today’s world of social media and instant messaging. Sometimes, people ask for things without having talked to or known each other first. It might be uncomfortable and even presumptuous. I've been there and thought, “Why ask without first taking the time to connect?”


The first thing Jesus does in his model of prayer is talk about this particular issue: our relationship with God. When the disciples asked Jesus to show them how to pray, he started with family: “Father, hallowed be your name.” Prayer isn’t a list of things you want; it’s a discussion based on a connection.

We don’t talk to God like strangers or beggars; we talk to him like loved children talking to a loving Father. Because of that relationship, we pray: “Hallowed be your name,” “Your kingdom come,” “Give us each day our daily bread,” “Forgive us our sins,” and “Lead us not into temptation.”

Prayer is also about how we keep coming back with trust and courage. After teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus narrates a story about a guy who knocks on his friend’s door at midnight and asks for bread. At first, the pal says no. But the man keeps knocking, and his bold, shameless knocking makes the friend get up and give him what he needs.

When you pray, you need to keep going. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you,” Keep asking. Keep looking. Keep banging.

Being persistent doesn’t mean bothering God until He gives in. Our Father isn’t bothered by our prayers. Instead, praying again and over again strengthens our faith, makes us more reliant on God, and brings our hearts into line with His. We also show that we believe God is ready and able to reply when we keep asking.

We often want quick answers in our fast-paced world. But sometimes, the waiting shapes us more than the solution itself. The knocking at midnight tells us that God wants us to come courageously, even when it seems late and inconvenient.

Don’t give up if you’ve been praying for something and haven’t gotten an answer yet. Keep banging. God knows. God listens. And God answers at the right time.

Jesus also tells us that there is a good and generous God behind every prayer we say. We don’t just pray to be heard; we pray because we trust the heart of the One who hears us. Prayer shows God’s character by revealing how generous our Heavenly Father is. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” Jesus presents a series of rhetorical questions. Or if he asks for an egg, will you give him a scorpion? The answer is clear: no loving parent would do that.

Then Jesus makes a very interesting point: “If you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

God loves to give His kids nice things. He is not cheap or unwilling. He doesn’t give us anything bad instead of what we need. His replies are never out of neglect, even if they aren’t what we want to hear. They are always based on His perfect love.

And pay attention to the Holy Spirit, which Jesus says is the best gift. To put it another way, God offers us more than simply goods; he gives us himself. We don’t simply get bread when we pray; we also get the live God’s presence, power, and peace. That’s the most generous thing you can do.

We shouldn’t be afraid to pray to God. He is a great dad. He doesn’t always give us what we desire, but He always gives us what is best.

In summary, prayer is based on our relationship with our loving Father. Prayer gets stronger as we keep doing it, and is rewarded by God’s gracious presence, especially the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, like the disciples, let’s openly say, “Lord, teach us to pray,” and go to God every day with faith, determination, and hope.

Let’s make the disciples’ plea our own by saying the words aloud, “Lord, teach us to pray,”

Closing Prayer: Lord, let Your name be holy. Help us pray like children who trust Your heart. Please give us the strength to keep going, the faith to keep knocking, and the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Make our wants match Your will, and let our prayers make us love You more. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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